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Career Diploma Program — Private Investigator

• •

925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515-0700

www.PennFoster.edu
Independent Learning Catalog

©2009 Penn Foster, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. PA058400-0911 Penn Foster Career School
 Table of Contents
3 Become a Private Investigator
4 Your Future as a Private Investigator
5 Experience Penn Foster
6 Count on Us Every Step of the Way
7 Get Answers to Frequently
Asked Questions
8 Make the Right Choice
9 Accreditation Matters
10 Prepare for Graduation
11 Enroll Today, Begin Today
2 | Questions? Visit PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu
Become a Private Investigator
You’re about to learn how you can train
at home for a rewarding career as a
Private Investigator without attending
classes! In as little as six months, you can
earn a Career Diploma from nationally
accredited Penn Foster Career School.
You have a challenging career, full of
excitement…you’re using your skills,
your creativity, and your knowledge
to succeed…and you get the special
satisfaction that comes with helping
people in need.
As a Private Investigator, you might
be working for the top executive of
a multinational corporation, or for a
mother searching for her missing child.
And you’ll have the training you need
to do important work and do it well.
Now you can be a part of this rewarding
profession — all you need are ambition,
the desire to succeed, and the skills
you’ll learn from the Penn Foster Private
Investigator Program.
Employment of private
investigators is expected to grow
faster than the average for all
occupations. Increased demand
will result from heightened security
concerns, increased litigation,
the need to protect confidential
information and property, and the
proliferation of criminal activity
on the Internet.*
*Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2008-09 Edition, a publication of the U.S.
Department of Labor.
Enroll online at PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu | 3
 Your Future as a Private Investigator Experience Penn Foster

Work for an agency, or start your own business and be your own boss. Private We make sure that the Penn Foster
Investigators enjoy exciting, varied assignments, flexible working hours, respect, and at-home learning experience is an easy,
prestige. Get started now, and you can be a Private Investigator in as little as six months! convenient way to earn your Career
Diploma. From the time you enroll, right
Career objective: This program will provide students with the skills necessary to be through to graduation, we’ll guide you
employed in the investigation field. Materials prepare the student to collect information every step of the way — nothing is left
needed for background or criminal checks; to collect evidence and report it accurately to chance or guessing. Here’s how easy
and properly; and/or to provide surveillance for retail security and loss prevention. After it is to learn through distance education:
completing this program, the student will be able to seek employment as a store detective,
an insurance investigator, background investigator, guard (security or body), and in several Enroll in the way that’s most
states, as a licensed private investigator. convenient for you.
• By phone at 1-800-228-0799, and begin
your first lesson in a matter of minutes.
The average salary for Private Investigators is about $33,000 per year, but with
• Online at
experience you can earn $64,000 per year.* The U.S. Bureau of Labor projects an
PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu,
increase of more than 18% in the number of job opportunities for private investigators
today, and begin learning today.
by 2016.** Here are some of the positions that trained Private Investigators often hold:
• By mail; complete and return the enclosed
Student Enrollment Form.
Insurance Fraud Investigator
Expose fraudulent claims You learn at home and never need
to enter a classroom!
• Your course materials — textbooks, study
guides, and learning aids — are delivered
Private Detective Security Officer
Conduct sensitive investigations Provide physical protection directly to you for your convenience.
• Expert instructors and support personnel
are just a phone call or an email away.
Complete Your Exams — All exams
are designed to support the learning
process. Take them online for instant
feedback.
Benefit from our Student Services:
• Check your grades, your shipments,
and your account online, and email
your instructors.
• Call our Student Support Line and
speak directly to an instructor.
Take advantage of our Career
Services for graduates, including:
• Job openings in the field
• Internet access to job searches
• Tips on interviewing
• Preparing a cover letter
• Building a resume with the help
of a Certified Professional Writer
Then — you’re ready to begin an exciting,
new career as a Private Investigator!

Trained Private Investigator

Over 18% More Jobs by 2016**

Corporate Investigator Legal Investigator

Protect clients’ assets and interests Work for law firms & lawyers

Store Detective
Prevent retail loss

* Salary information is based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, a publication of the
U.S. Department of Labor. Individual student earnings vary based on experience.
** Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2016. Source: National Industry-Occupation Employment
Matrix, a publication of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4 | Questions? Visit PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu Enroll online at PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu | 5

 Count on Us Every Step of the Way
Even though you train at home, you’re
not alone! Penn Foster has a network of
instructors and support staff in place,
ready to help. Contact them in the way
that you find most convenient and
comfortable.
To discuss your program with an
instructor or a member of our student
support staff:
For fastest service, contact us online.
Check your last exam grade or student
status with the click of your mouse, or
email your instructor.
Call our Student Support Line. You
can speak to an instructor during normal
business hours. If your instructor is not
available, you can leave a message and
your call will be answered as quickly
as possible.
“Our instructors truly enjoy helping students, who can call
them during office hours or email them at any time. Our
instructors are knowledgeable and experienced in their
fields; therefore, they can help students understand their
lessons by applying them to real-life situations. I think, and
they agree, that this is the most effective way to learn.”
— Connie Dempsey
Chief Academic Officer
6 | Questions? Visit PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu
Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I really train for a new career,
at home in my spare time?
A. Yes. Many Americans are using this
method right now to prepare themselves
for a new career, pay boosts, job
advancement, or simply for personal
enrichment. Since 1890, more than
13,000,000 men and women have
enrolled in Penn Foster at-home
training programs.
Q. Can I really learn online?
A. Yes! Most of your lesson materials are
available online for our students with
computers and Internet access. Ask
questions via email and you’ll have a
record of the answers for future reference.
And by taking exams online, you’ll get
instant feedback, which reinforces the
concepts and improves retention. Of Q. Do I need prior schooling to take
course, you’ll still have to study traditionally this program?
with your textbooks, which will be sent A. No. Your program starts you off with
directly to your door. So you can learn the basics and then goes on to more
completely off-line, or use a combination advanced topics. You’ll learn the facts
of off- and online learning, it’s up to you. you need to know quickly with the Penn
Foster proven at-home training method.
Q. What are the advantages of at-home
training versus classroom study? Q. Do I need a Private Investigation
A. With at-home training, you receive License?
individualized instruction and direction. A. If you work as an investigator directly
You have the entire program in writing, so for a large company or for a Private
you have a permanent reference — there Investigation Agency, you may not need
are no doubts about what your instructor your own license. However, if you want
did or did not say. Also, you are in a class to start your own business, you will need
of one and can proceed at your own to be licensed.
pace. You don’t waste time traveling to
and from class — your home is your Q. How do I find out about licensing?
classroom. A. Because state licensing regulations vary
for Private Investigators, we recommend
that you check with the licensing agency
in your state to find out what requirements
you’ll need to fulfill to obtain your license.
Enroll online at PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu | 7
 Make the Right Choice
This is the Penn Foster building, occupying
more than 85,000 square feet of office
space and educational facilities. This facility
is home to your instructors and service
personnel who send you your lessons and
answer your questions. It also houses the
business personnel who keep Penn Foster
running as an efficient operation, training
thousands of students every year. You are
always welcome to visit our headquarters
here in Scranton, Pennsylvania, during
regular business hours.
Penn Foster began its tradition of excellence
in distance education in 1890. Thomas J.
Foster founded the school to meet the
needs of working adults who wanted to get
ahead in their careers. Over 100 years later,
Penn Foster is proud to have enrolled over
13,000,000 students in a wide variety of
degree and diploma programs.
Make the right choice — choose at-home
learning with Penn Foster Career School!
* Textbooks are not available online.
8 | Questions? Visit PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu
Did You Know?
• You need no prior experience
or training to begin your studies.
• The Penn Foster Private Investigator
Program is delivered directly to you via
the Internet and mail.* You never need
to enter a classroom! Study when you
want and where you want.
• Your Private Investigator Program
includes an optional mentoring program
arranged through ION,® as well as an
internship option at the end of the
program.
• You can complete your Private
Investigator Program in as little as six
months.
• Penn Foster offers 0% APR financing,
and you can make your monthly
payments online.
• Our online enrollment procedure and
student services make it easy to start
right away. Enroll today and begin
immediately!
Accreditation Matters
Penn Foster Career School is accredited
by the Accrediting Commission of the
Distance Education and Training
Council (DETC), which is listed by the
U.S. Department of Education as a
nationally recognized accrediting agency.
In addition, Penn Foster Career School is
licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board
of Private Licensed Schools.
Penn Foster Career School is also
accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Secondary Schools
for its vocational-technical programs.
Many American corporations* — including
business giants such as Borg Warner,
Caterpillar, GE, Kraft Foods, Phelps
Dodge, PP&G, and Tyco Electronics —
have used our training method to educate
their own employees. Train with
confidence knowing so many respected
companies have chosen Penn Foster
Career School.
Penn Foster Career School has been
approved as an Authorized Provider
by the International Association for
Continuing Education and Training
(IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite
500, McLean, VA 22102. In obtaining this
approval, Penn Foster Career School has
demonstrated that it complies with the
ANSI/IACET Standards which are widely
recognized as standards of good practice
internationally. As a result of their
Authorized Provider membership status,
Penn Foster Career School is authorized
to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that
* This list identifies companies that have selected Penn Foster to provide further training for their employees. This
does not imply an endorsement.
Enroll online at PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu
qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standards.
All Penn Foster programs are affiliated with
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
Education Support (DANTES), which
qualifies military personnel for tuition
reimbursement.
You may qualify for veterans education
benefits. The Penn Foster Private
Investigator Career Diploma Program
is approved for veterans education
benefits. Reservists may also qualify for
veterans education benefits. If you think
you may be eligible, check with your local
or regional VA office.
You may qualify for “on the job” training.
Through our affiliation with ION,® you
may be eligible for an optional mentoring
program. Here’s how it works: When you
complete your program, ION® will attempt
to match you with a private investigator in
your area. Then, if one is available, you’ll
work with that PI (subject to the laws of
your jurisdiction) while he or she shows
you the ropes. This is the ION® Program.
There is only one work option/
mentorship/ION® program. Although not
required to complete the program to
receive your diploma, this valuable work
experience option is available to you at
no additional cost.
| 9
 Prepare for Graduation
Graduate from the Penn Foster Private
Investigator Program in as little as six
months. With your diploma in hand, you
can start your own agency, or work in
surveillance, corporate security...whatever
your choice, you’ll be ready to build
your future!
Alumni Services
Even after you’ve graduated, we’re still
Chris Student
here to help you. Penn Foster gladly
provides the following for all of our
Private Investigator
graduates:
• Your Diploma — A document you
can take pride in. We’ll send it to you
upon completion of your program.
• Transcripts — You receive a copy
of your official transcript with your
diploma. Our service staff will send
it to you, or to another address
(employer or school) if you prefer.
• Career Services — Current students and
graduates are notified of job openings
submitted directly to Penn Foster by
employers from around the country.
Graduates can take advantage of
Penn Foster Career Services, which
include access to job searches, tips on
interviewing, preparing a cover letter,
and creating a resume with the help of
a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
“I got the raise I wanted, and I owe all of my
thanks to Penn Foster for having such a
wonderful program.”
— T. Henson, Oklahoma
Graduate, Private Investigator Program†
10 | Questions? Visit PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu
Enroll Today, Begin Today
Take the first step toward an exciting,
new career as a Private Investigator, today.
It’s easy! Use one of the enrollment options
below and begin learning!
Call us at 1-800-228-0799 — Our
enrollment advisors are on duty to
answer your questions and guide
you through the simple process.
You could start studying in minutes.
Enroll online today at
PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu —
It’s easy, quick, and you can begin
studying the same day!
Enroll by mail — Complete the
enclosed Student Enrollment Form
and mail it in the enclosed envelope
with your down payment, or
payment in full.
Don’t let a question stop you. For fastest
enrollment call 1-800-228-0799. Or visit
PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu —
enroll via phone or online today and begin
your program immediately. Get the education
you need to build the career you want.
If you have questions or need more information, visit
PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu or call 1-800-228-0799.
†
Results may vary. Although many Penn Foster students have been very successful, the positive results achieved by
one student may not be indicative of all students’ experiences.
Enroll online at PrivateInvestigator.PennFoster.edu | 11